Table Tennis Conversion Top For Pool Tables

Let's face it. Neither pool table or tennis table is a space-saver. They are bulky and take up a large space. But your kids love both games.

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And you can't choose one over the other. What if you want to have the fun of two table games, but only have a single room available? 

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Well this is where a table tennis conversion top is well worth considering!

This conversion top for pool table comes in a size which can easily fit on a standard pool table. It can be easily installed and removed as well. It's not just a pool table that the conversion top can fit to, but any flat surface would do.

But as a billiards table is smaller in size and shorter in length, its a good choice to fit the conversion top on a billiards table than a snooker table which is relatively higher.

This conversion top is for all those people who wanna have serious fun or for those who have a passion for the game or for those people who just wanna enjoy playing. Whenever you feel like you want to play, just a little effort and you convert any flat surface to a ping pong table. The waterproof top are also available for outdoor games.

This is a great option for someone who already has a pool table, and does not have enough room to add a table tennis table! On top of that, most but not all conversion tops come with a full kit that includes the net, several paddles and a few balls.

It's ideal for families who want to play occasionally and when the mood strikes.  Just bring the nets, paddles, balls and the right attitude to play.

Table Tennis Conversion Top For Pool Tables

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Silom Nightlife - A Patpong Ping Pong Show is Not All There is to This Part of Bangkok

When most people who have never been to the country think of Thailand, they probably most likely think of Thai massage or Patpong ping pong shows. Ali G's movie even had the Thai ambassador, ahem, "performing" this show in the UN. While some Thais may find it insulting to be mostly known for this, some would find it funny. You may be surprised to find out most Thais in Bangkok have never seen the infamous ping pong show and that probably more foreign tourists and residents have viewed this spectacle. Those who live in Bangkok will tell you there is more to Silom nightlife and even Patpong itself than this supremely bizarre oddity.

ping pong table

Silom Road lies a block from the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, the Lumpini boxing stadium, and the main part of the road begins right across from Lumpini Park. Patpong is a soi (small road or alley) just off the right of Silom if you are coming from Lumpini Park. Yes, Patpong has many go go bars and the like, but it also has become a family tourist destination because of its night market. Many of the bars there will be open until early in the morning and the night market is no different. A stroll through this market packed to the brim (indeed, it spills well out onto Silom) with stalls. There is also much indoor shopping in with a Central shopping center and other smaller or equal size indoor (and air-conditioned) shopping buildings on both sides of Silom Road.

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Other features of the Silom nightlife are the old Hindu temple further down the road opposite Narai Hotel, where you can start the night by observing the activities of the devotees and caretakers of the temple at sunset. Once that's finished, you can eat some food on the street at one of many delicious stops, or have some coffee in one of the many coffee shops. There are bars with out dancing girls as well, such as the extremely popular O'Reilly's Irish Pub right next to the BTS (elevated train) station. And if you want to be close to the action you can stay in one of the many cheap Silom hotels or a luxury once, such as the prestigious Dusit Thani Hotel.

While Patpong ping pong shows have become synonymous with the most famous Bangkok red light district, you can see there is so much more to the Silom nightlife. Too much to cover in one article, in fact, but at least you have a taste of the true reality.

Silom Nightlife - A Patpong Ping Pong Show is Not All There is to This Part of Bangkok

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Outdoor Table Tennis Tables - A Comprehensive Guide

Outdoor table tennis tables, or ping pong tables, come in a variety of configurations and constructions. The table surface is normally made from either metal (usually aluminium), wood with a thick protective outer layer, or some sort of laminate construction. Legs are usually made of coated metal (aluminium or steel) or well-treated and protected wood. Since these tables are designed to be left outside, they need to be water proof and be protected against types of exposure, like UV radiation from the sun.

ping pong table top

These types of tables are normally only used for recreational use, the performance of these tables is usually secondary, as long as the table does produce a decent bounce of the ball. Because of all these extra design features inbuilt to protect the table from the elements, these tables are usually a lot more expensive than a similar indoor models... but of course they offer the advantage that these tables can also be both indoors AND outdoors...and they are made to last!

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Table-Tops:

Aluminium topped tables are generally accepted as the best, as the aluminium does not rust and is hard and durable and unaffected by UV. Since the table-tops need a thicker layer to produce a good bounce, they usually consist of a wooden inner layer (often MDF), with outer aluminium layers to protect it. Some of the laminate table-tops can be very good too, and are becoming more and more common.

As with indoor table tennis tables, the thickness of the top is still a very important consideration. Not only does it produce a better bounce of the ball due to it's more solid construction, but it also reduces the chances of warping of the table. Warping obviously affects the performance of the table, but it can also produces crack in the outer protective layer, exposing the inner layers to more moisture, and the effect will grow a lot worse much faster. Of course if the inner layer is not made of wood, this won't be an issue.

Frames:

Alumimium frames are usually the best option, as they tend to be much lighter than steel or solid wood, with little downside in strength. If you're going to be moving the table around a lot, make sure it has a good undercarriage with solid and weather-proof wheels as well. Having the option of being able to fold up half the table to practice against is offered by some brands as well, although in reality this configuration is hardly used, and very restrictive in the practice it offers.

Performance:

Performance is usually measured by how good a bounce the ball produces. Since you're already outside and the slightest bit of wind can easily move the ball, this requirement is usually secondary, but generally the more solid and thicker the top of the table, the better the performance. Another issue to consider is the surface finish...some table have a real shine on the surface, and since there is a lot more light outside than inside, a matt finish to reduce the glare is highly desirable.

Maintenance:

These tables require virtually no maintenance as they are solid and tough. It is always a good idea to put some sort of cover over the table when it's not being used, to give it that extra little protection, and to keep it clean, but it's not essential. A bit of a clean with a soft and wet cloth is usually a good idea before you start play, and any tiny bits of dirt on the surface severely affect the bounce of a table tennis ball.

Accessories:

Usually the tables come with a net as well, although in some cases this net is not weather-proof, so it needs to be taken down after you finish using it. Some table come with balls and bats, and these are obviously easy to take inside when you're finished playing, so the weather-proofing are not such a big an issue.

Other uses:

Since the table is designed to be solid and tough, there is no reason it cannot be used as a normal table as well. It's highly recommended to at least cover the table with table-cloth to protect the paint from spillages and such.

Where to buy?

Tables are generally bought via your local club or dealer, or via an online shop, who will generally ship it directly to your door. If you are considering purchasing the table from anywhere, make sure you get a quote for the complete package including shipping, as these can be high additional costs. It is also worthwhile to see if they can include a net (if not included already), as you can usually get this at a better price when you both both at once.

Outdoor Table Tennis Tables - A Comprehensive Guide

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Table Tennis Training - Table Tennis (Or Ping Pong) Tournament Preparation

There are many different philosophies about how to best prepare yourself for a table tennis tournament. In fact, because preparation can be highly individualized and very personal, it may take many years of experience before you will know precisely how to train prior to competition. A lot of this discovery is a result of trial and error, but I will give you a few suggestions surrounding the use of the Newgy Robo-Pong Table Tennis Training Robot that may speed up the tournament preparation process.

ping pong table cover

When running drills on the Newgy Robot, make sure you incorporate drills utilizing the random placement feature. Drilling against random placement of the ball will best prepare you for what you will be up against in a match and will, therefore, prove to be more productive than training with ball placement that is not random.

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Also, you probably have many different drills to work on which focus on both your strengths and weaknesses, but in the day prior to your competition, try to focus mostly on drilling to your strengths. This may seem counterintuitive because it seems like you will be losing all your points through your weaknesses, but a strength that is well-trained can be a massive confidence booster that can even flow over into your weaknesses. This does not mean to neglect training to your weakness altogether. These aspects of your game certainly need attention, but to focus on them right before you compete may lower your confidence, and that lack of confidence will definitely hurt your strengths.

So, to best prepare for competition, remember to drill with the Newgy Ping Pong Training Robot set on random placement to best simulate a game situation, and focus on your strengths a day or two before you compete to ensure that your confidence is soaring and you are ready for whatever your opponent dishes out.

Table Tennis Training - Table Tennis (Or Ping Pong) Tournament Preparation

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Ping Pong Paddles Are More Complex Than You Would Think

If you are on a search for the very best ping pong paddle, your search will be in vain as there isn't one. This is because there are many different types of paddles and each player will have his or her own preferences. One thing is for sure though, and that is that a good beginner paddle will be an awful one for an advanced player and vice versa. The more advanced you are the more you will want to spin the ball which can only be done with an advanced paddle. Likewise, beginners will not want to spin the ball and should use a beginner paddle.

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The more expensive paddles have better rubber and more of it as well as a handle and bat that are made out of better wood. They have a much more "solid" feel and this will immediately be evident if you try playing with both and comparing them. Paddles that cost upwards of 0 have a tremendous feel to them and allow you to spin the ball and control it much better than you ever could with something less expensive.

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The Butterfly company is one of a few big ping pong paddle makers that are highly respected. Butterfly makes custom paddles as well as stock paddles for all levels of play and some of them can get quite expensive. They also make table tennis tables that are used at the highest level in competitions.

Although Butterfly makes a wide variety of paddles, it might be hard to find the selection you want in a store. This is because ping pong is not a very popular sport in America and sporting outlets usually only carry a limited selection. Children in America don't dream of growing up and being a professional table tennis player like they do in some other countries and so the demand for equipment is not high.

In China or Japan you would not have this problem because the sport is much more popular and large selection of paddles, balls, and tables is easier to find. In America, if you want a really good paddle, you best choice and only choice might be to go online. Luckily you can find and order almost any paddle online including custom made paddles. The only drawback might be that you will not have an opportunity to try it out first.

Ping Pong Paddles Are More Complex Than You Would Think

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Ping Pong Videos Help Your Skills Improve

If you have been playing ping pong recreationally for any length of time, you may have reached what you believe to be the limit of your skill. That's not entirely true though. While the game does take some natural ability, you can get better when you change your training style and add some new elements.

ping pong rackets

One of the things that you might want to do is change up your opponents. If you are playing against the same person all of the time, you will only know how to play against that person. Try to find some other people who want to play against you, and always challenge yourself with opponents who have greater skill.

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Another way that you can improve your skills is with the use of ping pong videos. Watching other people perform the moves that you want to be able to do is one of the best ways that you can learn the nuances of new techniques. Watching videos is going to be far more cost effective than getting professional instruction from a teacher.

Make sure that you buy high quality videos though. Some of the best DVDs that are on the market today can teach you some skills that every player needs to know, such as a forehand smash or the backhand loop. A great thing about the DVDs is that you will be able to watch them until you understand the skill it is teaching. Go back and spend as much time as you need watching the pros.

The use of ping pong videos shouldn't be the only way that you learn though. You still need to practice all of the skills that you already have, but these videos can give you an edge that most of your opponents will not have. Even if you have minimal skills now, invest in one of these DVDs to see how much you are able to improve.

If you want to get better at the game, you will need to set aside some time to invest in the game everyday. When you watch the videos of the professionals, you have to realize that they didn't come to the sport with those skills. It took training and dedication to hone their skills. In time, you will see that your skills are improving and you will be able to beat faster and better opponents because you are getting better without even realizing it.

Ping Pong Videos Help Your Skills Improve

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The Importance of Table Tennis Rules

Ping-pong has often been that game that is played in the basement or recreation room, but many people never go much further than that. It is, however, entirely possible to be bitten by the bug and begin seeking out ways to play table tennis on a more serious level. If you have discovered that you have a skill and a love for the game, then it is important that you learn table tennis rules before going any further. Playing ping-pong with your friends is vastly different from enjoying ping-pong as a sport, and the rules will make that very clear.

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As you work through the different rules and techniques to the game, it is important that you are realistic about your abilities. As a new player, you will probably not be able to play at the same skill and difficulty as more seasoned players. Keeping close to the table, moving your feet, and controlling the speed of your swing are all important things to remember. Don't succumb to the desire to show off, but instead use all of your playing time to train yourself and improve your playing.

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The table tennis rules also help to keep injuries from taking place. You may not believe that there are many accidents that could cause pain with table tennis, but several people have experience strained muscles or bruises from contact. The lightweight ping-pong ball may not pose much of a threat, but the quickly moving arm of a doubles partner could mess up your whole day. Follow the rules to the letter, and you can avoid hurting yourself and others.

Only after you have mastered the basics and memorized the safety guidelines should you attempt learning fancier shots and swings. There are different patterns for serving and returning, and you can quickly develop your own strategies and techniques. Just remember that your training time is always for learning and growing, and never for showing off. Ping-pong, when played correctly, is a fast-paced game that can drastically improve your hand-eye coordination, but table tennis rules always put safety and learning first. In no time at all, you will be primed to participate in your first competition, but you should remember to use any tournament as a learning opportunity. Even if you don't win, you can pick up new techniques and swings by watching other players, which can greatly enrich your own game.

The Importance of Table Tennis Rules

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